Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-07

- ~. az. rte rnn'o ~, .crc 80 i,stics.
Ine Fedcral3 would XIII him without
trial.
In an instant his plan was matured
lie lifted the dead man hy the shoulders
and dragged him down into the cellar
The place was fay1rablc for the conceal
mcnt of the body The work Of valllng
the sides OF the cellar had been suspended
during the siege, and tho floor WAS Uttered
with fragments OF granite and other ma
terai LETT by the masons.
The body was carefully deposited in
corner, and Gates struck "a match, but Mt
once cStiaguishcd IT, lie went 10 work
in the dark. and I'm less than ten minutes
he had covered the lifolass heap IN the
corner with pile OF rubbish.
There was no more sleep that night for
Gates He wandered from room 20 room,
thinking and lluunipg VIXEN morning
camc he looked into n mirror nni gave a
cry OF horror. His face WAS rinchcd md
haggard, and lis hair, 50 black and Glossy
the day before, was threaded with gray!
H.
The long day of anxiety and terror
came 10 an end, but Gates had found it
impossible to do anything. 50 many sol
diers were moving about that he was
went down several times ana made q lot
of mortar, and got everything in readiness
for his nights work
He had decided TO finish the cellar wall
at tho end that had been left uncom-
plctcd, and behind the wall ne would
hide the body When the job WAS done
lac would feel secure.
At midnight he saw that the doors and
windows were barred and fastened. In
the cellar he covered the single grating
that ventilated it, and placed his lamp in
"A convenient position
The next thing 10 do was u remove the
body. Gates pulled away the rubbish
and pecred into the dark corner. \ puZ-
zlcd look came over his face, and, painting
for breath, with his heart leaping into his
mouth, he seized the lamp and looked
again.
Before him lay the man he bad killed.
end by his side was stretched another
dead man, soldier Ike the other and
his breast showed three CHASTITY wounds!
Gates felt his limbs give way under
him, and his brain wa, IN wairl.
When he came to his senses he hal To
relight his lamp lie looked at his watch
and found that his fuint.ng tit had lasted
half an hour.
necessity than over for his work. lie
took n drink from his brandy flask and
started in like a giant. 4 place was hol-
lowed IN the earth. and the two bodies
werc iammed In. Then block after block
of granite was laid and the mortar was
layishly applied.
The frantic man seemed 20 be gifted
with supcrhuman energy. By daylight
no fin Il
gathered mp and carried ont with tic
tools, the floor was swept, and several
empty barrels and boxes were brought
down and placed against the walls
Gates felt like "A new man. Ire dressed
himself with care and began 10 move
about in the clty Instead of stunning
companou-hip ne sought it. All the time
he WAS on the alert. Was he suspected!
This WAS the one question that a-itated
lis brain night and day.
The disappearance OF The two men
created 40 excitement, except, perhaps
ia their own companies. Gates roamed
the streets and made acquaintauces
among the Federal officers. bat days and
week, rolled by and nothing occurred TO
alarm him.
one day u happy thought struck him.
\ ue.chbor desired - rent his house
Why not let him have it. aud go north or
west or anywhere, FOR a few years until
this horror was fortottcuy
Fortunately IL WAS easy 20 make safe
and satisfactory arrangements Gates
turned over tie nous, ID his tenant. and
with the first quarter rcnt in his pocket
st his face northWGrd.
The war had been over zen years when
the wandcrcr returned. In his absence
he had prospcred, and his face wore the
placid composurc Of man who had no
past TO regret and no secret To hide
from his fellow men.
Gates demanded the house. and his
faithful tenant gave il mp. The owner
furnished il comfortably and moved in,
and appeared To be 50 wei pleased with
his surroundings that his old ncichlors
were delighted.
Il have seen every nook and corner in
the house except the cellar, N remarked n
friend who was going over the house with
the proprietor
"The cellar" exclaimed Gates. ooh,
yes. OF course I'll show you that
He led the way, and lis companion
praised everything In high forms.
"Ihe wall at this end. ne said "is
well built but il is more massive than
any other part Of the work. it was built
TO last forever"
Just So replied Gates with dry
laugh. NO / don't mean that exactly.
The supply Of material was limited ami
the mason used what hc had ! am sat
iSflel with it. -
But after the departure Of his guest /
Gates scowlcd and shook lis fist.
On him for Il meddlug fool" he